Let’s think about California’s politics. You’re probably imagining a deep blue state that is progressive, liberal and overwhelmingly Democratic. With its massive, liberal urban centers, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, it’s no surprise that California has this connotation, but it’s essential to remember that the state is not a political monolith. 

In the 2020 presidential election, more Californians voted for President Donald Trump than Texans did, despite Texas being the second most populous state in the country, right behind California. That statistic probably surprises people because it reveals a side of California that we rarely discuss: the vast, largely rural, and conservative inland area. Beyond the blue coastal cities, there are vast regions of the state that are deeply Republican, and they’re feeling the consequences of the very politics they supported by voting for the Trump administration.

Trump promised to cut government spending, and in 2016, 2020 and 2024, many rural Californians supported him. Trump flipped 10 counties in California in the recent 2024 election: San Joaquin, Imperial, Lake, Riverside, San Bernardino, Butte, Inyo, Fresno, Merced and Stanislaus. Many of these counties are rural or farming areas where many people feel forgotten by government leaders in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. 

However, those same communities now feel the impact. Federal budget cuts are closing clinics, thinning fire crews and cutting federal jobs. The government programs they once wanted to eliminate are the same ones they have relied on for so long.

They liked Trump’s populist message about reducing government spending and giving power back to ordinary people. A lot of them thought federal programs were mostly helping others — like big cities or immigrants — and not them. However, the truth is that these areas depend on federal assistance more than they realize. From healthcare to land management, these programs are a big part of daily life in rural California.

Rural parts of California include millions of acres of federal land. Agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management take care of it by managing forests, keeping trails safe and responding to emergencies. But under the Trump administration, funding for these programs has been cut. That means fewer crews to clear brush, fix trails or help during wildfires. In a state where fires get worse every year, that’s a serious problem.

Healthcare is also being hit hard. Rural hospitals and clinics rely so heavily on programs like Medicaid and Medicare because so many people in these areas are older, poorer or both, in comparison to their urban counterparts. They also depend on Social Security, food stamps and other government assistance programs to get by. When the government cuts budgets or threatens programs, these services suffer. Some clinics are already at risk of closing, and many hang on by a thread.

In small towns, the federal government is often a major employer. Firefighters, park workers and seasonal employees all depend on land agencies for work. If those budgets shrink, those jobs disappear. That means less money in the community and fewer tourists visiting parks or trails that are not properly maintained.

These cuts may have sounded good on paper: A smaller government means less spending and more freedom, but they’re hurting the very people who supported them. The programs disappearing now aren’t extras. 

The truth is, these federal programs are essential lifelines. Without them, these communities suffer. People who voted for cuts are now seeing how much they actually needed the help.

We need to be honest about this. These counties deserve support, but we also need to talk openly about why public funding matters and who it really helps.

We need a better public understanding of how government policies affect real lives. We must support local journalism, share accurate information and ask candidates tough questions. Don’t just vote on slogans, but vote on what policies will mean for your town, your job and your hospital. Because when the support goes away, it’s not just about politics anymore — it’s about people’s lives. And for many in rural California, that reality is starting to hit home.